Rhine delta nature reserve

Where the Alpine Rhine flows into Lake Constance, between Hard, Fußach, Höchst and Gaißau, lies Vorarlberg's largest nature reserve: some 2,000 hectares of shallows, reed beds, litter meadows and riverside forest, protected since 1976, a Ramsar wetland of international importance since 1982 and part of the European Natura 2000 network. 330 bird species have been recorded here – common terns, lapwings and snipe breed, while in autumn and winter dunlins, goosanders and whooper swans rest in their thousands. Add to that around 600 plant species; in spring the Siberian iris flowers on the fen meadows. Since the diversion in the early 20th century the Rhine itself flows into the lake inside a 5 km S-shaped embankment; the polder dyke was built between 1956 and 1963.

The delta is best explored on foot or by bike along the level dyke paths: the lagoon circuit from Fußach measures 4.7 km (1½ hours), the Rhine delta cycle route about 47 km almost without a climb, with bathing spots on the Old Rhine. The Rheindeltahaus in Fußach, a timber building from 1998, is open at weekends from April to October (Sat/Sun 11 am–5 pm) and is the starting point for guided excursions. From our house it is 80 km / a good 70 minutes; by train to Hard-Fußach or to Bregenz and then 4 km along the Lake Constance cycle path to Hard. A quiet counterpoint to the bustle of Bregenz – and the best time for huge flocks of birds is, of all seasons, winter.

Last updated: 13 Sep 2026